The Cruising the Cut Audio Newsletter!

In this episode: poison in our waterways, no water in the canals; and something about the Big Bang.LinksWater pollution https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/06/all-bodies-of-water-england-polluted-toxic-chemicalsCRT stoppages https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/notices-and-stoppagesLithium installations https://electrika.uk/index.php/2026/08/07/iwa-cas-guide-to-safe-lithium-battery-installation-now-published/VideosSummer canals London boating https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/08/20/vlog-409-london-aye/Fibreglassing Twiggy https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/08/09/vlog-408-bleep/Electrika show https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/08/02/vlog-407-nuts-and-volts/Tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/EventsOxford festival https://www.oxfordcanalheritage.org/oxford-canal-festivalShardlow Historic Transport https://www.facebook.com/p/Shardlow-Historic-Transport-Gathering-61567784071210/Floating markets https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-listCRT events https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals?start=2026-09-01&end=2026-09-30The Crow's NestJared Owen's Falkirk Wheel video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucyw6GVifCEThe Murky Depths (my archive)267a Falkirk wheel https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2022/05/31/vlog-267a-pipe-dreams/267b Union canal https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2022/06/06/vlog-267b-wheel-meet-again/

In this edition; the continued hot weather leads to official drought and multiple canal closures and restrictions. Plus the CRT want boaters' help in planning for the future.LinksNewsBoaters Survey https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-news/annual-boaters-survey-2026-executive-summaryBoater consultation https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boaterconsultationRestoration Plan https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/our-cause/looking-after-canals-and-rivers/canal-restoration/restoration-resources/beginners-guide-to-canal-restorationHistoric vessel register https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/registersHistoric boats for sale https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/page/vessels-saleRecent videosVlog 406 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/07/24/vlog-406-juggernautical/Vlog 405 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/07/12/vlog-405-404-not-found/Vlog 403 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/07/01/vlog-403-high-fibre/Tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/Captain's Log (canal events)Standedge Tunnel https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/standedge-tunnel-and-visitor-centreWednesfield Festival https://wednesfieldcanalfestival.co.uk/Brownhills Festival https://lhcrt.org.uk/brownhills-canal-festival/Canal Trader markets https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-listCRT events https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals?page=8&start=2026-07-01&end=2026-07-31The Murkey Depths (archive video)Standedge Tunnel trip https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2022/07/17/vlog-272-going-underground/Crow's Nest (YouTube recommendation)https://www.youtube.com/@webuyanymotorcaravan/videos

This month, how cleaning a river could land you in court; a six month update on the Whitchurch breach; and loads of canal events to go to in July.LinksEA prosecution threat https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/17/campaigner-threatened-prosecution-environment-agency-river-roding-cleanup and https://www.rollonfriday.com/news-content/exclusive-environment-agency-receives-death-threats-after-warning-barrister-stopIWA warning https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/indefinite-waterway-closures-rise-by-almost-40-iwa-reveals-growing-network-disruptionWhitchurch update https://tinyurl.com/CRT-Whitchurch-UpdateCRT boat count https://tinyurl.com/CRT-boat-count-2026Latest videos402 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/06/21/vlog-402-crop-top/401 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/06/10/vlog-401-resistance-is-futile/400 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/05/30/vlog-400-power-nap/Tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/Captain's Log (events diary)Electrika 2026 https://electrika.uk/Hayes Festival https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals/2026-07-26-hayes-canal-festival-2026Ware Festival https://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk/whats-on/ware-festival/Duck race https://www.braunston.org.uk/org-event.aspx?eid=6959#eventRCTA events https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-listCRT events https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals?page=8&start=2026-07-01&end=2026-07-31Video archiveVan trip https://vandemonium.co.uk/travels/van-99-boil-in-the-bag/Vlog 164 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2019/03/07/vlog-164-damp-patches/Crow's Nest (YouTube recommendation)https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeTierney

In this episode: are the canals doomed once more? Enjoy them in the meantime then with lots of summer events.LinksWater crisis https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/iwa-navigation-committee-news-2605Slaithwaite Reservoir http://www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/slaithwaite-reservoirRecent videosTwiggy's transom core https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/05/20/vlog-399-the-transom-of-the-opera/Weekend aboard, Day 2 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/05/10/vlog-398-immersion-therapy/Weekend aboard, Day 1 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/05/01/vlog-397-nap-time/Tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/EventsEllesmere Port https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals/2026-06-13-50th-anniversary-celebrationsEdinburgh Canal Festival https://edinburghcanalfestival.org.uk/Brentford Festival https://brentfordcanalfestival.co.uk/Braunston Rally https://www.braunstonmarina.co.uk/historic-boat-rallyWare Festival https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/ware-boat-festivalFloating markets https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-listArchive videoBraunston rally https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2016/07/04/vlog-50-golden-oldies/YouTube recommendationBBC Archive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAszByoXroY

In this edition, surprise news about a wharf closing unexpectedly - and a daring plan to let scuba divers practice in canal locks...LinksShip's Telegraph (News)Whitchurch breach https://www.tinyurl.com/whitchurchbreachSherborne Wharf closure: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2vy6zx565oScuba lock plan https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/scuba-lock-plan/New on the Dock (Recent videos)https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/03/30/vlog-394-home-improvements/https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/03/15/vlog-393-well-gel/https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/03/01/vlog-392-pump-out/Tip Jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/Captain's Log (events)National Waterways Museum https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/national-waterways-museumFloating markets https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-listThe Murky Depths (archive videos)https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2019/04/01/vlog-167-new-bold-tunnel/https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2017/04/01/vlog-82-important-news-update/The Bilge (final words)Charity Walk https://www.surplex.co.uk/donate

In this episode: more money for the canals; a plan for the future of boating; and a mention of motorhoming.Links:CRT report response https://tinyurl.com/crt-report-responseExtra funding https://www.gov.uk/government/news/iconic-canals-to-be-better-protected-with-65-million-investmentLlangollen breach https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/newsletter-archive/?email_id=37Chandlery closures https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/news/midland-chandlers-moves-to-national-delivery-modelBoat show tickets https://www.crickboatshow.com/tickets/Walsall cyanide spill https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/newsletter-archive/?email_id=13Latest videosTwiggy update https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/02/22/vlog-391-bilge-water/Things I love and loathe https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/02/11/vlog-390-list-off/BSS test day https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/02/01/vlog-389-utter-bss/My tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/Book a canal holiday https://canalboatholidays.co.uk/referral/cruisingthecutArchive videoRiver Avon trip https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2017/10/04/vlog-111-memory-lane/YouTube Pick of the MonthRoaming Radfords https://www.youtube.com/@RoamingRadfords

This month, an update on the boats stranded by the Llangollen canal breach at Whitchurch; ponderings on boating during winter; and an invitation to Bruges.LinksCanal breach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cje1zpppwjgoCanal volunteering https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/support-us/our-campaigns/volunteer-by-waterRiver Clyde fees https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/fees-on-river-clyde-abandonedRichard Parry https://www.crucialpr.co.uk/crucial-archive/8-releasesLatest videos388 DIY projects planned https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/01/21/vlog-388-task-master/387 steam boat refurbishment https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/01/10/vlog-387-hot-stuff/386 happy new year https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2026/01/01/vlog-386-happy-new-year/My tip jars https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/Book a canal holiday at https://canalboatholidays.co.uk/referral/cruisingthecutVideo archiveFrance Trip Part 1 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/10/vlog-371-cruising-le-cut/France Trip Part 2 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/20/vlog-372-leau-rider/France Trip Part 3 https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2025/06/30/vlog-373-bon-voyage/Crow's Nest YouTube pick https://www.youtube.com/@OffbeatMandarinThe Bilge, in Bruges https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/sights/canals-of-bruges

In this episode, grim news from the Llangollen canal where a major breach has opened a giant hole in the canal and stranded two boats, with several others also affected just before Christmas.LinksNarrowboat Life Unlocked https://www.youtube.com/@NarrowboatLifeUnlockedLocking Through Life https://www.youtube.com/@lockingthroughlife2587CRT's breach page https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/llangollen-canal-breachGoFundMe for stranded boaters https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-boatersMy latest videos https://www.youtube.com/@CruisingTheCut/videosTip jar https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/tip-jars/Book a narrowboat holiday https://canalboatholidays.co.uk/referral/cruisingthecutChocolate Mousse at Christmas https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2021/12/31/merry-christmas-and-chocolate-mousse/YouTube pick of the month https://www.youtube.com/@microfournerds